23 Tips and Tricks to Save Money at JCPenney

This article contains references to products from our partners. We may receive compensation if you apply or shop through links in our content. You help support CreditDonkey by reading our website and using our links. (read more)

JC Penney has been around for a century, giving Americans deals on everything from clothing to cookware to jewelry. It took a short break from the deals game by eliminating coupons when the retailer tried to change its image, but it is back in the game, giving its consumers the thrill of the discount on nearly every rack once again.

If you've got a keen eye for deals or a nose for sniffing out coupons, it's possible to save even more on just about everything you buy. But why work too hard before you shop? We’ve done the heavy lifting you. CreditDonkey presents all the ways to shrink your spending the next time you're at JC Penney.

EARN FREEBIES WHEN YOU SHOP

Savvy shoppers usually head to the store with coupons in hand, but there are plenty of ways to slash your final total even if you've left yours at home.

1. Enroll in the JC Penney Rewards programThe JC Penney Rewards Program is an easy way to get discounts any time you shop, and the best part is, membership is free. For every $1 you spend on qualifying purchases, you'll get 1 point. And if you earn 100 points in a single month, you'll get a $10 reward certificate.

2. Know your limitsRewards members can only earn 1 reward certificate in any given month, but the redemption limits are a little higher. You can use up to 10 reward coupons per purchase, in-store or online. If you're shopping at JCPenney.com and you've got a promo code, you can redeem 9 rewards certificates at one time.

3. Get even more savings when you buy bras and shoesLadies can snag even more rewards when they shop for bras or shoes. Any time you buy 4 regular or sale-priced bras or pairs of shoes, you'll get a $15 Perk Reward. Clearance items and kids' products are excluded. Once you get your coupon, you can use it towards your next bra or shoe purchase of $15 or more.

4. Pay attention to expiration datesIf you're planning on saving up your rewards points for a big purchase, you'll have to act fast. All points expire at the end of the calendar month after the date they're issued, so there's no rolling them over indefinitely.

USE CREDIT WISELY

Using a rewards credit card to pay for things isn't just convenient - it's also a good way to earn points or cash back on all the stuff you buy. The trick is to make sure you're using the right card to get the most savings.

5. Open a JC Penney store card If you're really serious about saving money at JC Penney, adding this handy piece of plastic to your wallet could be a must. When you sign up for a new account, you'll automatically qualify for 20% off your first purchase of apparel, shoes, jewelry, handbags, and home items, as well as 10% off watches, furniture, mattresses, and custom blinds and shades. Being a card member means you're automatically enrolled in the Rewards program, and the same rules for earning points apply. You also get an added bonus since you can earn up to 10 rewards certificates each month. (Just be sure you’re not signing up just to get the first-purchase bonus; retailer cards tend to have higher interest rates and should really be paid off each month.)

6. Upgrade to a Gold accountIf you spend $500 or more over two shopping days in a calendar year, your JC Penney credit account will be bumped up to Gold status. Once you reach this level, you'll enjoy the same perks as you did before, but you'll also be able to nab passbook deals and special gifts throughout the year, as well as an extra discount when your birthday rolls around.

7. Spend enough to go PlatinumSuper shoppers should have no problem taking their JC Penney credit card to the Platinum level. All you have to do is charge $1,000 or more to your account over two different shopping days during the year to qualify. Platinum cardholders unlock all the deals and promotions that are available to members, including exclusive access to free shipping events.

8. Consider a JC Penney MasterCard instead If you want to be able to earn points that you can redeem at JC Penney everywhere you go, the JC Penney MasterCard is the answer. You'll earn 1 point for every $1 you spend in the store, online, and anywhere MasterCard is accepted. For every $1,000 you charge, you'll receive a $10 rewards certificate.

9. Cash in on promotional financingZero percent financing is available on some items throughout the store when you pay with your JC Penney store card or MasterCard. If you need to pick up a new mattress or you're ready to replace some of your worn-out furniture, you won't have to fork over any interest as long as you pay it off within 12 months.

10. Keep an eye on the calendarJC Penney routinely schedules bonus cash days throughout the year, which is an excellent opportunity to score an extra coupon when you make a purchase. Bonus cash promotions can be good for anywhere from $10 to $25, so it pays to save the date.

CUT COSTS AT THE PORTRAIT STUDIO

A picture is worth a thousand words, but it can also be worth a thousand bucks if you're shelling out a lot of cash on a pricey photographer. The JC Penney Portrait Studio is a great place to have photos taken, and there are plenty of opportunities to get big discounts.

11. Join the birthday clubHaving your kids professionally photographed can be a real budget-killer, but if you're signed up for the JC Penney Portrait Studio's birthday club , it can take some of the bite out of the cost. You just have to fill out a simple form to enroll and you'll receive special offers and freebies during the month leading up to your child's birthday.

12. Save on return visitsAny time you have pictures made at the Portrait Studio, you're eligible to score discounts good towards your next sitting. Included in your portrait envelope should be a coupon that could be worth as much as $50 off a future photo session.

13. Get a portrait savings cardIf you invest a lot of time and money in getting family pictures made, you might want to consider a Portrait Perks membership. A 2-year membership will run you $29, but it's pretty easy to recoup the cost in terms of what you can save.

Whenever you have portraits made, the $9.99 per person sitting fee is waived. So for a family of five, that comes up to almost $50 in savings. JC Penney also throws in a few extras for members, including one free traditional portrait sheet, one free multi-image portrait sheet and three $10 off coupons good for future purchases.

14. Get savings on your phoneThe Portrait Studio offers discounts and promo codes via email and text messaging. If you sign up to get text alerts, you'll get a $5 off coupon that you can apply to your next session.

15. Ask for a military discountCurrent members of the military and veterans can save some serious cash by showing their military ID when they have portraits made. The store's military discount is worth 50% off any portrait purchase and includes a free 8x10. The sitting fees are waived to make the deal even more enticing.

OTHER WAYS TO SAVE

We've highlighted some of the most popular ways to put less strain on your wallet when you shop at JC Penney, but we've got a few more tips for hanging on to more of your hard-earned dollars.

16. Spend some time in the Red ZoneThe Red Zone clearance section on JCPenney.com is chock full of deals and steals, with some items marked down as much as 50% or even 75 % off the original price. There's also a separate section for closeouts, where the price cuts are pretty steep on everything from jewelry to window treatments to coffee makers.

17. Get your items shipped for freeUnless there's a special free shipping event going on or you're spending more than $99 , you'll have to pay to have your items delivered to your home. The cost ranges from $5 to $45, depending on what type of delivery you choose, but you can sidestep the extra fee by having it sent directly to the store. As long as you spend more than $25, you won't pay a dime for shipping.

18. Look for coupons online If you're looking for a coupon or promo code when you shop online, there's a special page on the JC Penney website that lists all the ones that are available. The coupons are updated regularly, but if you catch it on the right day, you might be able to get an extra 20% off when you charge your purchases to your store card or 30% off selected items.

19. Time in-store shopping trips carefullyReal estate is all about location. Being a deal-savvy shopper is all about timing. According to one source we found, the 1st and 3rd Fridays of each month are when prices on certain items are slashed. They're labeled with a blue sticker, and the total discount can be worth up to 90% off the regular price.

20. Always get the best priceMany major retailers have a price-matching policy, and JC Penney is no different. When you find an identical item on sale for less at a similar competitor, you just need to bring in the other store's ad to get the difference refunded to you. There are some exclusions on certain items, so it pays to read the policy carefully to make sure your purchase qualifies.

21. Get a free mini makeoverThe next time you're passing by a JC Penney Salon, take a second to see if it’s offering any complimentary services. From time to time, they offer free consultations, hair touch-ups, and sample size products just for stopping by. You can also find coupons for hair styling services on the salon page of the store's website.

22. Check the homepage JC Penney's home page is a great place to scout out exclusive online sales. Look for banner ads or promo codes at the top to get deals like 25% off orders over $100 or more when you pay with your store card or 20% off if you use your debit card or another credit card.

23. Give feedback on your experienceThe next time you're shopping in a JC Penney store, be sure to check the bottom of your receipt for a survey code . It doesn't take long to complete and once you're done, you'll get a 10% off coupon code that's good for 7 days.

Rebecca Lake is a journalist at CreditDonkey, a credit card comparison and reviews website. Write to Rebecca Lake at rebecca@creditdonkey.com

Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are author's alone. Please support CreditDonkey on our mission to help you make savvy decisions. Our free online service is made possible through financial relationships with some of the products and services mentioned on this site. We may receive compensation if you shop through links in our content.

About CreditDonkey® CreditDonkey is a credit card comparison website. We publish data-driven analysis to help you save money & make savvy decisions.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed on this page are those of the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer.

†Advertiser Disclosure: Many of the card offers that appear on this site are from companies from which CreditDonkey receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). CreditDonkey does not include all companies or all offers that may be available in the marketplace.

*See the card issuer's online application for details about terms and conditions. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accurate information. However, all information is presented without warranty. When you click on the "Apply Now" button you can review the terms and conditions on the card issuer's website.

CreditDonkey does not know your individual circumstances and provides information for general educational purposes only. CreditDonkey is not a substitute for, and should not be used as, professional legal, credit or financial advice. You should consult your own professional advisors for such advice.